Ornamental ring for disk wheels



March 3, 1942. A LY N Re. 22,042

ORNAMENTAL RING FOR DISK WHEELS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed. Sept.20, 1954 EVEET'ZYLIF 6 60 rye fi/fierifyavz.

March 3, 1942. G. A. LYON ORNAMENTAh 1mm FOR DISK warms Original FiledSept. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 3, 1942. G, A. LYON ORNAMENTAL RINGFOR nxsx WHEELS Original Filed Sept. 20. 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 E6320?";6 J/fierw fyan.

March 3, 1942. G. A. LYON ORNAMENTAL RING FOR DISK WHEELS Original FiledSept. 20, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 VEIY U5 6eay 9 $1697"! @072.

the major portion of the load on menttothe each having means ReissuesMar. 3, 1942 4 UNITED sures PATENT OFFICE f v 'onmsmm'at :01: iss miss IGeorge Albert Lyon,Allenhurst,N.J.'

Original No. 2,102,470, dated December Serial No. 144,158, September 20,1984. plicatlon for reissue October Thisinventi'on relates toimprovements in ornamental rings for disk wheels. and more particularlyto ornamental rings or bands .for application to the external surface ofdisk wheels for vehicles. not only for decorative purposes, but alsohaving the utility of covering and protecting interstices, cracks orgaps between the relative parts of the wheel, although the invention mayhave many other applications and purposes as will be apparent to oneskilled in the art.

The disk wheel art is taking a definite trend towards the use of anouter, more or less decorative shell made to simulate spokes or not, butin most instances, designed to cover an inner supporting plate, whichinner plate actually carries the wheel. In some instances, the outershell is centrally apertured to embrace the spindle of the wheel andaccommodate a hub cap, while in other instances this outer shell isdesigned to cover the entire external surface inside the outer rimflange and totally conceal the. spindle without the aid of any hub capconstruction. The outer shell is also either permanently or removablyattached to the wheel rim. If permanently attached, there is a crack ormost the point oi. iointure into which dust and dirt or mud is inclinedto gather and render the wheel unsightly in appearmice, as well as causedeterioration of the parts of the wheel thereadjacent. when the outershell is removably attached to the rim, the crack or gap might not bequite so apparent nor quite so susceptible to the accumulation of mudand dirt therein, but there will be an apparent point of iointure whichcan be improved in appearance by the application of the presentinvention, and the invention might also be applied to a desirable partof the external surface of such a shell to generally improve posiiewhole.

Accordingly, it is an oldest of this invention to provide an'ornamentalring or band for attach-. external surface of a vehicle wheel so as tooverlie the point of iointure between the wheel shell and the wheel rim.

It is also an obiect of this invention to provide a ring or band forattachment to the outer surface of a member, both the ring and memberassociated therewith en eable with the means 01' the other element forholding the parts together, the initial and original shape of the ringor band being variable during application to insure gagement.

As evidence of the foregoing objects of the the appearance ofthe como14, 1937, Ap- 8, 1939, Serial No.

14 Ciaims. (Cl. 301 -37) invention, the present invention is notstrictly limited to application to a decorative band might be attachedto various elements of various shapes as will be apparent to one skilledin the art, and it is also an obiect of this invention to provide such adecorative ring or band having an under-tinned concealed en aginportion, said portion being enga eabie with suitable means associatedwith the element I the angle between the outer portion to'whichthe ringbeing variable as such engagement.

is attached, the ring or band Still another obiect of this invention isthe provision of a decorative band attachable to the outer surface ofanother element, ing underturned means for engagement with spaced meansassociated with the surface of the element, the band being flrst placedin position with a slight engagement between the parts, and then theband is pressed into position, distorting the initial shape of the bandand insuring tight engagement;

Also an object of turned flange disposed portion of the band, by meansof which flange the band may be placed against an outer surface of anelement having teeth projecting from the surface, with the underturnedportions in light engagement beneath the projecting teeth, and thenthe'band may be forced inwardly to vary and the underturned flange andenhance the en agement with the-teeth.

tmsinvention is the provision band having an under- It is to beunderstood that the present inven- I tion can be made either less,continuous band or ring, or in the form of a split ring, and it-is anobiect of the invention to provide a decorative band of the characterhereinafter described either in the form of a continuous band or a splitring.

Another object of the invention is'the provision of a decorative bandfor attachment -to a wheeldisk, the band being in the form of a ring andhaving an underturned portion engageable with spaced means associatedwith the wheel'disk, the spaced means on the wheel disk being out ofalignment with the circumference of a true circle so that the bandwhendistoried for engagement thereupon will be'in the form of in theform of .an enda true circle.

and enhance, such enwheel disk and with spaced means thereon for wheeldisk. but the to its initial shape to insure the bandhavat an angle tothe outer for attachment to a and give the band circle vision of new thedisk-wheel theline engagement with a portion of the band, the eve lappedends being so formed that when the band is distorted slightly out 01alignment with the true circle, the formed ends will conceal the factthe appearance of a true Another object of the invention is theprovision of a decorative band for attachment to a wheel disk, havingspaced under-turned teeth engageto hold the band in position thereupon.

It is also an object of this invention-to provide a decorative band inthe form of a resilient split ring having means engageable with means onthe surface to which the band is to be attached, the inherent resiliencyoi the band maintaining it in place upon the surface.

Still another object of the invention is the provided with a decorativeband most desirable.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics and advantagesof the present invention have been above pointed out, others will becomeapparent from the following disclosures. The invention includes theseand other features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafterdescribed and shown in a preferred form in the drawings, as moreparticularly indicated by the claims. a

0n the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a diskwheel for a vehicle,showing the same equipped or not, as deemed ciples of' the presentinvention.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing prior to the applicationof the band of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view-oi the structureshown in Figure 1 taken substantially as indicated by the line III1IIoi' Figure 1. v Figure 4 is a greater enlarged view similar to Figure 3,illustrating the application of the band shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of thestructure shown in Figure 1, illustrating a slightly diiierent form ofthe band.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a combination structure includingthe disk-wheel and ornamental band. embodying the principles of thepresent invention.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through thestructure of Figure 6 taken substantially as indicated by the lineVII-V110! Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a greater enlarged view of a part of the structure of Figure7.

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantiallyas indicated by the line IXIX of Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of a combination of -wheel anddecorative band, simand 6, but-showing a diil'erent ilar to Figures 1typeofband.

Figure 11 is a view similar to to.the attachment oi the band;

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially'as indicated by the line XII-XII of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is sectional view XIIIXIII Figure 10 prior taken substantiallyas indicated by of Figure 10. a

an enlarged fragmentary vertical ..to .which a tire Figure 14 is asomewhat comprising an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the rearportion Ilrigure 10 adjacent the overlapped ends of the and.

Figure 15 is an enlarged vertical similar to Figure l3,-but"showingtached in a different location.

Figure 18 is vational view sectional view the band at- As shown on thedrawings: In one illustrated embodiment of this invention, and withreference to elusive, there is shown a vehicle wheel made up on an innersupporting plate i (Figures 3 and 4).

having an inwardly turned 0 rim 2 is shell I may. if so desired, be proaspoked wheel, and the inn is provided with suitabl apertures I, theshell I being formed with the metal projecting through the apertures inthe for securing the wheel to a spare wheel support- 7, or to the suponthe axle of a vehicle as is well understood in this art.

As seen more clearly in will be a gap or crack ll between the tire rim2, and this gap, would tend to fill with mud dering the wheel the shellI and if left unprotected.

in appearance as .atic views.

of the band shown in.

suitable apertures 6 so that the shell.

e apertures behind the Figures 3 and4. there and dirt, thus ren- ,ture,

'the angle between as illustrated,

struck outwardly from the shell 4 adiacent the gap or crack i I. Theselugs are preferably located along the circumference of an imaginarycircle of such diameter that theoutwardly projecting ends located in animaginary circle of slightly greater diameter than the bent marginalportion ll of the band prior to the application of the band.

As indicated by the dotted lines in the angle between the outer portionof the band and the underturned portion 14 is greater prior to theapplication of the band to the wheel than afterwards. In completing thecomposite structhe band in the form shown by the dotted lines is placedagainst the side surface of the wheel, and the resiliency of the bandpermits the bent marginal portion I! on the underturned part II to passbehind the projecting ends of the any suitable mechanism, the band isthen pressed against the wheel, thereby distorting the band from itsinitial shape by making the outer portion of the band and theunderturned portion II more acute. when the band is so bent. theunderturned portion II will be forced outwardly beneath the lugs ii,thereby insuring positive engagement. The upper turned edge ll of theband will rest against the rim 1, the lower portion of the band restingagainst theshell 4, and the gap or crack II is completely covered andprotected in a highly decorative manner.

As indicated in Figure 5, a split ring form of band Ila may if sodesired. This band is identical in construction with the band I! exceptthat it is split ends abuttins. as indicated at H, when the band isapplied to the wheel. These ends may be held in abutting relationship bymeans of the inherent resiliency of the band lie or, if so desired, theends may be butt welded in a well-known manner.

of course, is struck from the and the band Figure 4,

so desired, the lugs ll may be outer shell at any desirable point is orIsa laced upon the shell necessary to over- As more fully explainedlater herein and as illustrated in Figures '1 and 15 of the drawings,decorative bands may be placed in other regions for decorative purposes.

In Figures 6 to 9, inclusive, 1 have illustrated a new form of wheelconstruction emh principles of the present invention. In this instance,an inner main supporting plate ll, provided with a circumferentialflange, is secured in any desired manner to a tire rim ll adapted a tubeand tire unit 28 in the usual manner, with the valve stem 2| projectingthrough a suitable aperture in the rim. The central portion of the platell isprovided with a plurality. of indentations 2! at the base of eachof which a suitable aperture is provided for the accommodation of a boltis, by means of which the entire wheel structure may be attached to aspare wheel supporting bracket 24, or to the usual wheel supportingelement upon the axle of a vehicle. A central aperture in the plate llprovides an opening for the end of the wheel spindle.

Adjacent the outer portion thereof, the tire rim is is provided withshoulder means it formed integrally \in the rim, for a purpose that willbe later apparent herein.

In this instance, a great portion of the tire rim and everything withinthe circle defined thereentire shell 21 of the shell.

Tim I.

a This shell TI is preferably made of a of metal and has the outermarginal portion thereof reversely folded to provide a circumferential'flange 28 which lies against the portion of the rim II when the shell isin position upon the wheel. A circumferential flange 20 extends inwardlyfrom the reversely bent marginal portion and this flanged part II issupported and stiflened by a circumferential reenforcing element 8..

The shell held in position by means of a substantially triangular-shapedhead a leaf spring 32, secured in any suitable manner, such as by rivets33, to the inner sur face of the supporting member 30. As indicated at34, the supporting element II and the flange I! are apertured toaccommodate the head ll and the spring 12, the head Ii projectingthrough the aperture and beyond the flanged portion 28 for engagementwith of the tire rim It. rim I9 is preferably provided with spaced pairsof lugs lie just within the shoulder means I, each head ii on a spring32 seating between the lugs of a pair to prevent relative rotationbetween the shell 21 and the As seen more clearly in Figures '7 and 8,the may be mounted upon the rim by merely pressing the shell into place,the pressing action causing the heads ll upon the springs 32 to be movedinwardly until they have cleared the annular bead 26 on the rim,whereupon they will snap outwardly, engaging behind the bead, and holdthe shell in position. To remove the shell, it is a simple expedient toinsert a screw driver or some similar instrument behind the shell and myagainst the rim I! shell of! the rim, the of the heads ll permitting inand out movement As seen'best in Figures 6 and be struck at spacedpoints from the shell so as to extend outwardly and a decorative band I!mounted in position in engagement with these lugs in the mannerpreviously described in connection with Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. Ofcourse, the band liu mentioned in connection with Figure 5 hereinabovemight equally as well be applied to the surface of the shell TI.

, In Figures 10 to 14, inclusive, I have shown a composite wheelstructure utilizing a different form of decorative ring or band. In thisinstance, the wheel construction, of the character shown in Figures 1 to4, inclusive, as illustrated; includes the inner supporting plate I, theouter shell 4 with the inwardly turned circumferential flange 5, bothsecured to a wheel rim 2 by means of spaced rivets 3, the shell 4 beingconstructed to simulate spokes and secured to the plate I by a bent overportion 1, all in the manner previously described. The shell 4 has acentral aperture I therein leaving exposed a flange-like portion in theplate i provided with bolt holes for mounting the wheel upon a wheelaxle member or upon a bracket for spare wheels, as the case may be. Theshell 4 is also provided with a plurality of outwardly struck lugs i6adjacent the crack or gap H between the shell and the 7, lugs 35 mayHowever, in this instance, a decorative band sloping walls I thematerialof II in the form of a split ring with overlapped ends, indicated at 31.is mounted in position over the lugs I6.

to its inherent resiliency, outwardly with sumcient force placed in tlonI8 is engaged beneath the lugs l8, whereupon the band is limit definedby the lugs and the resiliency of the band retains intimate position.

Of course, if the lugs are disposed along the an imagi Porti n thereof.

The opposite end of the band 38 has the lower the band close to theoverlapping ends and on each side of the overlap.

If so desi the shell 4 This band II is preferably 'seli'- 2's It shell,an outwardlyor illustrating an application ofth'e band for decorativepurposes to any desired portion or the shell.

In Figures 16 to 18,-inclusive, I have illustrated 10 to 15, inclusive,1

ng ends, or of the self-expansible spring leaf if so desired.

understood that any parratlve ring, or band described herein may besubstituted for any or the other upon 1 either of the wheel may beeconomically manufactu claim as my inventi n:

' '1. In combinationon said shell, spaced lugs projecting shell adjacentside of a vehicle wheel ner to present an external appearancesubstantially that of an endless ring.

4. In combination, a member having a plurality of edge-like suriacesformed thereon, and a resilient self-expanding split ring havingunderturned means for engagement behind said surfaces, said surfacesbeing arranged sufllciently out of alignment with the circumference of acircle to cause said a circle even with lapped.

5. In combination, a vehicle wheel including a tire rim and innersupporting means comprising a wheel spider having openings therein akinto openings between spokes, an ornamental band for disposition over theside surface of the wheel adjacent the rim, said band and with saidwheel spider in said openings to hold said band on the wheel.

6. An ornamental band for disposition adjacent the rim on the sidesurface of a vehicle wheel which has openings therein akin to theopenings between spokes, said band being longitudinally arcuate in formand having an underturned portion concealed by the outer partoi the bandwhen the band is in position, and retaining means for eflectingengagement with said underturned portion and with said wheel in certainof said openings to hold the band on the wheel.

7. An ornamental band for attachment to the in the form of a split ringwith overlapped ends and carrying retaining means to hold the band onthe wheel, an end portion of said band being cut out of alignment withthe circumference of said ring in a manner to make said band present anexternal appear ancesubstantially that of an endless ring when attachedto the wheel.

8. In combination, an ornamental member for disposition on the sidesurface of a vehicle wheel which wheel includes spaced openings therein,said member being arcuate in form and having an underturned portionconcealed by the outer part thereof when the member is in position, andretaining means for eflecting a connection of said undertumed portionwith said wheel and certain of said openings to hold the member on thewheel.

9. In combination, a vehicle wheel including a tire rim, an innersupporting means comprising a wheel spider having openings therein, anornamental member ior disposition over the side surface of the wheel andextending radially inwardly of the rim, and means associated with saidmember and disposed in said wheel spider openings for cooperation withthe edges of said openings to hold said member on the wheel.

10. In a wheel construction, a wheel including ring to assume the formof the ends of the rin overa tire rim part and a body part, said rimpart said body part is having a base flange to which and meansengageable with having a base flange joined, said wheel having providedon its outer side spaced projections adjacent the junction of saidparts, a circular ornamental member adapted to be applied over an outersurface of said wheeladjacent and over said joint and having arearwardly extending springy edge flexible over and behind saidprojections to retain the member on the wheel.

11. The combination with a vehicle wheel of an ornamental member havinga plurality of spaced projections thereon, said member comprising ahollow circular shell and being attached directly to a load bearing partof the wheel by engagement therewith with the load bearing partprojecting into the interior of the shell, and a circular memberdemountably attached to said ornamental member by resilient snap-onengagement with certain of said projections, said circular membercomprising a ring of curved cross section with its radially innermarginal edge provided with retaining means for cooperation with theother member.

12. The combination with a vericle wheel of an ornamental member havinga plurality of spaced projections thereon, said member being attacheddirectly to a load bearing part of the wheel by engagement therewith,and a circular member demountably attached to said ornamental member byresilient snap-on engagement with certain of said projections, saidcircular member having an underturned edge portion in retainingcooperation with said projections, and said projections extendingradially inwardly toward said underturned edge portion.

13. The combination with a vehicle wheel of an annular retaining memberhaving laterally projecting retaining means, said member being attacheddirectly to a load bearing part of the wheel by engagement therewith,and a circular member detachably attached to said annular member by asnap-on engagement with said projecting means, said circular memberhaving an underturned edge portion in retained cooperation with saidprojecting means, said circular member comprising a ring of curved crosssection with its radially inner marginal edge provided with means forretaining cooperation with the other member.

14. In a wheel construction, a wheel including a tire rim part and abody part, said rim part to which said body part is joined, said wheelhaving provided on its outer side spaced projections adjacent thejunction of said parts, a circular ornamental member adapted to beapplied over an outer surface of said tire rim part and comprising acontinuous ring of curved cross section and having a rearwardlyextending springy inner edge flexible over and behind said projectionsto retain the ring on the wheel.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON.

